News:
February 24, 2011
The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Professor Mike Ocquaye says it is not in Ghana’s interest to have more than three main political parties.
He said the country’s democratic system can manage just three main parties namely, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Convention People’s Party (CPP). According to Prof Ocquaye, this system will help electorates decide which of them is responsible for their well being.
The NPP MP for Dome-Kwabenya opines that the proliferation of several small political parties confuses the electorate during elections and prevents them from making the right choice.
Speaking to Citi News after delivering a lecture on the struggle for democracy in Ghana, organised as part of the William Ofori Atta centenary celebration, Prof. Ocquaye said the proliferation of political parties does not help in political stability.
“Look at America, two main parties, Britain – three parties and so on, it helps not only the political process but in terms of making it clear to the electorates who is who and who is saying what. So if we have a strong NPP, a strong NDC and a strong CPP I think it would be good for Ghana”.
However, a research fellow with the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD), Victor Brobbey, has warned against any attempt to restrict the proliferation of political parties in Ghana to just three.
Mr. Victor Brobbey told Citi News that it will be undemocratic and unproductive to limit options for people during elections.
“I can’t agree with that, I think it would be extremely undemocratic and ultimately counterproductive and almost frightening to have a two party system.”